THE QUAD; Akron Hires Tressel For Non-Athletic Post

By JOANNE C. GERSTNER

Published: February 3, 2012

Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has landed a new job, and it's taking him back to the origins of his career. Tressel is the new vice president for strategic engagement at the University of Akron, according to The Columbus Dispatch and The Akron Beacon Journal, returning to the school where he started his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1975.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports Tressel will earn $200,000 per year in the non-athletics position.

The school held a Thursday morning press conference to announce Tressel's hiring.

''I am excited to be a Zip,'' Tressel said during the press conference, according to The Beacon Journal. ''It is great to come back to the place that gave me my first chance.''

Tressel, a 59-year-old native of suburban Cleveland, is an Akron alumnus, earning a master's degree in education from the school in 1975. He became an offensive assistant coach at the university from 1976-78. He has remained involved with the school in his post-Ohio State life, assisting with its search for a new football coach last December. The Zips hired Terry Bowden on Dec. 22.

''Jim Tressel will be an asset to our leadership,'' Akron President Luis Proenza said, according to The Dispatch. ''He and his wife Ellen are looking forward to reaching out to alumni and collaborating with university, community and region to have an influence and impact on our students.''

Akron and Tressel will need to consider if he can be involved with the athletic program, given the N.C.A.A. sanctions imposed upon him in December. The N.C.A.A. recently closed the book on the Ohio State investigation, giving Tressel a five-year ''show-cause'' penalty for not being honest with the investigation. There are clear restrictions on his ability to recruit, and the school would have to report to the N.C.A.A. on the scope and reasons for Tressel's involvement in athletics.

Tressel resigned in May from Ohio State, after leading the Buckeyes to the 2002 national title and six Big Ten titles in his 10-year tenure, due to a scandal involving players trading team gear for tattoos and money.

The Buckeyes, now coached by Urban Meyer, face a post-season ban next season, loss of scholarships, and a year of probation in the wake of the infractions.

It's an interesting turn for Tressel, as he was a candidate for the Indianapolis Colts coaching job. He had interviewed for the job in January, after working for the Colts last season as a game-day consultant.

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.